VLOOKUP function in Excel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the VLOOKUP function do in Excel?

VLOOKUP searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value in the same row from a specified column.

beginner

What are the four arguments of the VLOOKUP function?

The four arguments are:<br>1. Lookup_value: The value to find.<br>2. Table_array: The range where to search.<br>3. Col_index_num: The column number to return the value from.<br>4. Range_lookup: TRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match.

beginner

What happens if you set the Range_lookup argument to FALSE?

VLOOKUP will look for an exact match of the lookup value. If it doesn't find one, it returns #N/A error.

intermediate

How does VLOOKUP behave if the lookup value is not in the first column of the table array?

VLOOKUP only searches in the first column of the table array. If the lookup value is not there, it will not find it and may return #N/A.

beginner

Why might you use FALSE instead of TRUE for the Range_lookup argument?

Using FALSE ensures you get an exact match, which is safer when you want precise data, like looking up a product code or ID.

What does the third argument in VLOOKUP specify?

A The column number to return the value from

B The value to look for

C The range to search in

D Whether to find an exact or approximate match

The third argument tells VLOOKUP which column's value to return from the table.

If you want VLOOKUP to find an exact match, what should the fourth argument be?

A TRUE

B 0

C FALSE

D 1

FALSE tells VLOOKUP to find an exact match.

Where does VLOOKUP look for the lookup value in the table array?

A In the first column

B In the last column

C In any column

D In the middle column

VLOOKUP always searches for the lookup value in the first column of the table array.

What error does VLOOKUP return if it can’t find the lookup value with exact match?

A #VALUE!

B #N/A

C #REF!

D #DIV/0!

VLOOKUP returns #N/A when it cannot find the lookup value.

Which of these is a correct VLOOKUP formula to find a price in column 3 for product ID in A2 within range B2:D10?

A =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:D10, 4, FALSE)

B =VLOOKUP(B2, A2:D10, 3, TRUE)

C =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:D10, 2, TRUE)

D =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:D10, 3, FALSE)

Option D correctly uses A2 as lookup value, B2:D10 as table, column 3 for price, and FALSE for exact match.

Explain how to use VLOOKUP to find a person's phone number from a list where names are in the first column and phone numbers in the second.

Think about what you want to find, where to look, and which column has the answer.

Describe what happens if the lookup value is not found when using VLOOKUP with exact match.

Consider the result when the value is missing and how VLOOKUP signals it.